Anyone else feeling slighted????

[Gluman11]

..............By the no charge "add-on dining packages"........

From my perspective, we are going to be using our DVC to stay at the VWL next month and;

1) Since we are DVC members using our points for this trip, we are not eligible for any "dining package add-on".......and
2) Since we will be there during the "add-on" time period, I'm thinking that there will be an increased number of people dining out, who would not normally dine out, thereby decreasing the chances of our obtaining ADR's when we decide to make them..........

Anyone else feeling a little 'put out' by this.....?????

 

[fun2bmomof3]

The not being eligible for the dining package doesn't bother me. I'm saving on my room and I bought 10 day myw tickets at a discount place for less than a 5 day myw through disney would have been. Even buying the meals I plan to next month I will spend less than getting the room w/meal package.
What bothers me is that I could not get any ADR's for the restuarants I wanted when I wanted them. All the people eating out who normally wouldn't makes it hard to get a decent meal. True I did wait till 60 days out, but normally in September that is fine. In the past I've called that same morning and gotten an adr. Grrrr...
But isn't Disney ever so wise! They give these free dining packages and people who normally only do counter service or food courts go try the table service restuarants. Well next time they go back to Disney they'll return to the table service restuarants just that time using cash. Smart move for Disney. Bad for those of us who want to get last minute ADR's.

 

[rocketriter]

I don't exactly feel slighted, since my DVC contract spells out the things to which I'm entitled and a dining plan isn't one of them. However, the dining discounts we're offered aren't that great, DDE requires an annual pass, so I do wish we could get a dining package. (I just don't want one of those "wish" packages that put you on a modified American Plan and lead to eating like a pig!)

 

[DebbieB]

If they allowed it for other room only reservations (like AP discount) but not DVC, then I would feel slighted. But they aren't. In most cases, you have to book a full price room to get the dining package. If you have an AP, you still have to buy a 1 day ticket to get the package even though you don't need it (non-DVC). I have a DDE card that has already paid for itself.

 

[Chuck S]

I don't feel slighted at all about not having the dining package available, I use the DDE. What I don't like about it is that I have to do more planning and make more ADRs than I normally would. We were pretty "relaxed" planners, often deciding at the last minute where to eat, and usually (not always) getting seated. With the meal plans, I am having to pre-plan more of my trip...overplaning is "less magic" to me...I've always liked it when magic "just happens".

 

[JimMIA]

I don't feel slighted because we have the same eligibility as anyone else. If we choose to buy one of those packages, I'm sure Disney would love to have us do that.

There has been some talk about DVC trying to work things out so we can add a dining package to DVC accommodations, like cash customers do when the "free dining" promotions are not in effect. I don't know if that's just lip service to shut us up, or if they are really working on it.

However, I suspect those prices would be somewhat higher than what the cash ressie folks now pay ($35/day for an adult). I really doubt it would be economical.

 

[lllovell]

Not at all.

Those people are paying rack rates for their rooms to get "free dining". Would you want to be paying rack rates for your DVC rooms just to get some meals? I don't think its even close to being equitable and I don't see how DVCers would pay for it (where as the people who are getting the plan ARE paying for it by paying rack rates and filling up the hotels in at a time when last year Disney was having a rough bout due to hurricanes coming in one right after another).

I like DDE and plan on using it fully (we have already gotten our money's worth and now the rest of the savings is gravy). I agree with Chuck that my only dislike is that apparently it is becoming harder to get ADRs at most sit down restaurants because so many new people are trying them with the "free dining package" that used to never do sit-downs.

Oh well, for our trip in December, we will have a newborn with us, so eating in our room was our basic plan anyway

Laura

 

[dianeschlicht]

Not at all! As far as I can see, there is no such thing as "free dining". I'm not about to pay full price for a 2 bedroom villa, and I'm not going to settle for less (like a value resort) just to get "free" food.

 

[DVC-Don]

Not slighted at all. We joined for the rooms.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I've done a lot of comparing of that free dining package to a DVC reservation and feel more comfortable with the DVC reservation I made. I originally had the Wilderness Lodge booked under this deal, but overall I think the DVC ressie is a much better value. Though it would be nice to have a DVC dining package available to us, our contract does spell out many stipulations. My DVC accomodation will be much better than a regular resort room anyway.

 

[mbb]

Just had to say, love the new pics of the baby, CRSNDSY! What a beautiful smile

...and dining?..Personally, we'd rather have "free" admission!!

 

[Laurabearz]

Not slighted at all. We joined for the rooms.

 

[scottrob]

Not slighted at all. We are getting what we signed up for and Disney is staying in business.

 

[JimFitz]

The not being eligible for the dining package doesn't bother me. I'm saving on my room and I bought 10 day myw tickets at a discount place for less than a 5 day myw through disney would have been. Even buying the meals I plan to next month I will spend less than getting the room w/meal package.
What bothers me is that I could not get any ADR's for the restuarants I wanted when I wanted them. All the people eating out who normally wouldn't makes it hard to get a decent meal. True I did wait till 60 days out, but normally in September that is fine. In the past I've called that same morning and gotten an adr. Grrrr...
But isn't Disney ever so wise! They give these free dining packages and people who normally only do counter service or food courts go try the table service restuarants. Well next time they go back to Disney they'll return to the table service restuarants just that time using cash. Smart move for Disney. Bad for those of us who want to get last minute ADR's.

Where did you buy your MYWAY tickets? I am going to buy mine from TicketMania.com, but this looks like a great deal.

 

[kathleena]

I don't know that "slighted" is a good word. I guess I would just like the option available, especially for a trip in a studio.

Between the cost of funds tied up for years, the initial cost of points and the maintenance fees, plus the guarantee of all the other costs going along with travel, tickets, food etc - the "they pay full price for the room" reasoning doesn't hold with me.

They may pay full price for the room for THAT ONE trip, but we are paying a significant amount of cash over a long period of time with a standing commitment to travel to WDW. I say that commitment stands as our full price of admission and should be recognized as worthy of some program for using the meal vouchers.

JMHO.

 

[CharlesTD]

No not at all we hardly ever eat out anyhow so a dining package for us is just wasted money. We eat breakfast in our room every day and make lunches to tae with us and then have dinner in our room all but 1 or 2 nights a week during our 2 week trips.

 

[fun2bmomof3]

I get the mousesavers news letter and every once in awhile you get special discounts on the myw tickets at ticketmania. Last week I bought 10 Day Magic Your Way Adult- No Expiry Premium /w Park Hopping & Magic Plus(5 Visits) for $358 each. Now that is a bargain if you ask me. That's enough days for 3 trips and since we go only once a year I really like the price.

go to mousesavers.com and sign up for the free newsletter. Lots of good money saving ideas and promotions.

crissy

 

[keishashadow]

Every time I inquire of MS as to MYW Dining Option, I'm told it's "just a matter of time" before it's offered to DVC members. Although I've given up hope for this year (guess it's really difficult to syncronize the CRO & DVC computers); I'd like to see it eventually offered as a MYW tix purchase "add on".

I've never cooked on vacation, don't plan to start now. It's all a matter of personal choice. Don't expect my fellow DVC members to subsidize my purchase of the plan, nor do I consider myself as funding the other discounts available (AP's, dining discounts, etc.) to members. Assume there's an Annual Report for the DVC each year. Are the various discounts listed as a maintence charge? Are you assumming that the dining plan would be a debit?

Bottom line, MS indicated that they are looking @ dining plan as a MYW tix add-on, not a room tie-in. If this is how it will be classified, we should have the ability to purchase it. If you don't want it, don't buy it.

 

[JimFitz]

What are the dining options with this package?

 

[keishashadow]

In Feb it cost $35/Adult, $10/Child, included tax & tip. Based on length of stay (1 night = 1 counter serve, 1 sit down & 1 snack pp) and min. 2 day MYW tix purchase. Certain restaurants were 2 options (Yaughtsman Steakhouse, etc.)

They've lowered the Child age (9?) and will/have raised the price slightly. Thought it was a great option, made planning our trip much easier.

I encourage all who are interested to e-mail, not call, MS to voice your opinion.